Nine
For the longest time now my work-a-day days have been happily interrupted by a child coming to my office with a big smile and a cupcake in hand proclaiming some such declaration as: “It’s my birthday today! I am nine years old!” “Great!” I reply. “I am glad you were born – and aren’t you glad you were born a human person and not a frog?” We laugh together in that moment of joy – and deep inside of my heart-mind-soul I feel inspired by this sweet celebration wondrously.
Oh, if only I could be still such a child so full of beans – so bright eyed and just brim-filled with hope and goodness! I say to this happy young celebrant as she begins to leave me, “Stay nine years old now! Don’t get any older – being nine years old is the best age of all – stay nine!” She looks at me with a slightly puzzled smile not understanding – not knowing what I know.
Do you, dear reader, understand what I am saying? The kindest and, as we say in the Bronx, the “bestest” mentor I have ever had (and I believe the world has ever known) told me that I should live my personal life just as nine year olds do for they abound in Godly virtue naturally, humbly, and superabundantly—more so happy and good than they ever will be here on earth. Now that is a piece of wisdom that made me pause. To be like a nine year old all the time…hmm! To illustrate let me tell you a story:
Once upon a time in a pleasant desert town located near a majestic beautiful mountain range there lived a happy nine year old girl who had big brown eyes, long brown hair, and who was very kind – in fact she had just joined in a group called Kids Helping Kids which worked at trying to help children less fortunate than she.
You see, “See Gee” -- that’s her nick name -- was blessed with many natural talents. She was a good athlete, a dancer, played the piano, got good grades in school, and was a budding young politician at her school who had just been elected to the student council. I am sure that is why she had gotten up early that weekend morning to go with her next door neighbor to hear the town’s popular United States congresswoman speak. See Gee wanted to learn more about just how some one in government helped people. So that is why she was there with a small group of people gathered that bright sunshiny day with the bluest of skies overhead eager to say hello and to ask her questions.
But there was a sinister black cloud – a terrible horrid whirlwind of hate – spinning madly there from behind her – that suddenly swept by her – shooting deadly bullets of burning hot lead. Bang! Bang! Bang! -- Bang! Bang! Bang!
The lovely lady in front of her and people in the crowd were falling to the ground – and then she felt this strange explosion in her body that knocked her down too. And then – and then – she was no longer there. Those still alive could not see what was happening, but See Gee had become a softly gleaming light and she was rising up – above and away from all the mayhem. Up, up she went like a rising morning star – and she was never ever before as knowing, as happy, or as so full of love feelings as then.
And those still left behind alive in the aftermath were -- after their tears dried-- filled with wonder and admiration and gratitude remembering her-- our good and noble nine year old, See Gee. Oh, to be like her!
So now then – let us, you and I, let us try our best to be like her – this nine year old -- always kind and caring no matter what – to be there for others – to stand up for all people as servants of the common good.
Peace,
Paul
January 31, 2011
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